HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Gilbert Burns has his eye on the top of the UFC welterweight division, but he’s by no means closed to the idea of fighting rising contender Khamzat Chimaev.
Burns (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) is currently waiting to get booked for his next fight as he’s eager to continue his path back back to another shot at the 170-pound title. Burns most recently earned a dominant win over Stephen Thompson in July. It was his first fight since coming up short against champion Kamaru Usman earlier this year.
Preferably, Burns would like Colby Covington, who’s coming off a loss to Usman earlier this month at UFC 268, but he’s open to others.
“For Colby, the perfect would be me,” Burns told MMA Junkie. “That’s the fight that I want. He knows that I want it. But when it’s the time to call out a guy, when it’s time to pick an opponent, they don’t pick me. I think they know why. Leon (Edwards) never says my name. Colby never says my name. (Jorge) Masvidal never says my name. It’s for a reason, and they know why.
“I do know I lost that title fight, but I’ve been doing a lot of great things in that division, and they know that. So that’s what I’m looking at. I’ll be ready. Colby, Masvidal, Leon, even Khamzat in the future – that’s a great option for me. I never say no for a fight. I still believe (Khamzat has) got to do a little bit more work, but I’m still open to fight any one of these guys.”
Masvidal, Edwards, and Covington are experienced veterans who’ve been contenders for some time. Chimaev (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) is a fresh face who’s unbeaten and fast on the rise following his finish of Li Jingliang at UFC 267.
Burns sees Chimaev as a legit fighter and thinks he will soon join the elite of the division.
“I think so. I think he’s real,” Burns said. “I think he’s been tested. People say, ‘Oh, no. He’s just no.’ I think he fought a couple of good fighters. And the other thing, too, the way he beat them.
“Sometimes people don’t understand the matchmaker. Sometimes they feed you. They want new contenders. They want new stars, and they feed a couple guys. But sometimes they don’t destroy the guys the way they should. Even the matchmaker is just like, ‘Hey, feed that guy. He don’t want to eat.’ But he’s been doing a great job, you know, and I think he’s real.
“I think I’m going to face him very soon. I think he needs one more win, and I think he’ll have (the win). And if things keep going like that, like Colby doesn’t even say my name, Masvidal, Leon. Why not? I’ll give him the opportunity.”